2021 Audi A4

History/Overview

The A4 has been Audi's compact sedan for more than 20 years now, seeing multiple generations of the luxury car since that time. While the sedan has spawned numerous variants, this is the original and offers a more minimalist, tech-centred alternative to the luxury Mercedes and driver-focus BMW offerings.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

New this year is an A4 40 TFSI badged car that uses a new 201 hp 2.0L turbo-four. This replaces the A4 45 as the new base model, and so it gets a lower price. Also new, the A4 45 TFSI has been upgraded with Audi's 12V mild-hybrid electrical system that has also given that version of the car more power.

Komfort trim adds wireless Apple CarPlay and lane departure warning as standard, and the top-end Technik model gets new rear-seat USB charging ports.

Available Trims

Audi offers the A4 40 in Komfort trim only, using that four-cylinder engine and a seven-speed automatic. It also boasts quattro all-wheel drive. A4 45 has the more powerful engine, again with a seven-speed auto and all-wheel drive, but this one is available in Komfort, Progressiv, and Technik trims.

Standard Features

The Audi A4 Komfort comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen and 17-inch alloys (18 on A4 45), along with a power glass sunroof, LED lights front and rear, and heated exterior mirrors. Automatic climate control is standard inside, along with heated front seats and push-button start, with leather trim on the seats. A 10-speaker audio system with USB is standard, as is a colour driver info center. Lane departure warnings are standard in the standard safety kit as are pre-sense city and pre-sense rear, exit warning, and cruise control.

Progressiv adds a different wheel design and S-Line exterior trim as well as a foot-activated trunk release. Inside, it has MMI Navigation Plus, a heated wheel, driver's seat memory, and the extra safety features include high-beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross traffic assist.

Top-trim Technik adds its own 18-inch alloys and LED matrix headlights as well as power folding mirrors. On the inside is a Bang & Olufsen stereo, rear-seat USB charging, ambient interior lighting, and the safety suite gains a top-view camera.

Key Options

Komfort trim offers a Convenience package of parking sensors, a heated steering wheel, driver’s seat memory, passive keyless entry, auto-dimming side mirrors, and rear cross traffic alert.

Progressiv and Technik can be fitted with an S Line Sport package with 19-inch alloys, sport seats, and sport suspension, or an S line Black package with the same but piano black inlays, mirrors, and grille and window surrounds.

A Comfort seating package on the top trims adds ventilated front seats and power passenger lumbar, and there is an Advanced Driver Assistance package with adaptive cruise, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, traffic congest assistant, and pre sense front.

Fuel Economy

As of this writing, Audi hasn’t published fuel consumption ratings for the 2021 A4. With a pair of new engines, expect changes improvements for both models over last year's A4 45 TFSI.

Competition

The Audi A4 competes in the entry-luxury space with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the BMW 3 Series. While all three offer luxury and sporty driving, Audi has a more minimalistic interior layout that looks futuristic and high tech, while that of the Mercedes is a more traditional luxury experience and BMW splits the difference, offering some futurism but keeping some old-style elegance.